COUNTY EXPENDITURE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3237, 6 February 1879, Page 3

COUNTY EXPENDITURE.

To the Editor of the.THAMES advertiser.

Sib,—You castigate me in an unmeroiful manner for having dared to express my disapproval of the Oounty and its present style of management. Your remarks that "it exhibits many of the worst traits of human oharaoter" makes me feel grateful for the hint, and exclaim, in the words of the poet, "0, would that power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us," &e. As I never had the slightest idea that I possessed such bad habits, I thank you for the hint, and will endeavour for the future to eradicate them; but what of the majority of the public, as I venture to stake my reputation as a mudlark that they agree with me in asserting that our County expenditure is out of all proportion to the benefits derived. For example, take the following as an approximate expenditure of the cost of management only, and let each one draw their own conclusion: -Expenditure —Chairman's salary £300, engineer £300, clerk £250, valuators £120, collectors £100, assistants £150, rent £50, expenses of meetingj£3oo, sundries, horse hire, and travelling expenses £500, interest on overdraft £1,400, total £3,470 Legitimate income—County rates £1,200, Government subsidies £1,200, total £2,400. You will observe that this is cost of management only, and includes none for actual road-making. This is local selfgovernment with a vengeanoe, and an incubus this community would be gladly relieved of. This is plain language, and the current topio of the day. If it is abuse, then I oannot distinguish between abuse and argument, and ought to be pitied rather than abused by you in retaliating. It is not abuse to tell a man or set of men they are incapable of performing a certain work; it may be an act of kindness which they may benefit from, as I hope to do from your hint. The works of "doubtful utility," how strange you should single out the most useful works, such as Hasting's tracks, &c, to bring under the appellation doubtful utility. Why not have taken the road to Kopu wharf, for example, and shown there was not even a single lettler on the line. It may be of great utility to MrWhitaker's township, but its utility is doubtful so far as the public good is concerned. The convenience of the travelling public was not consulted when the site for the Kauwaeranga bridge was ohosen. Have not the publio been greatly iaoonrenioaood to suit

I private interests in that respect P Surely I you are endeavouring to mislead the public when you tpll them 135 miles of ronds and tracks have been opened up, and 120 nvles maintained. I suppose the odd 15 miles maintains itself. I'his must be the only portion with which I am cognisant, as, in my rambles, all the roads and tracks seem Self-supporting, and will maintain themselves for ever'in the same good order if left atone, You say I am sorely indignant because,.the well-paid officials are remunerated for services of a very onerous cliaraoter at a rate of pay equal in the South to a carpenter or a stonemason. The latter portion of the clause I quite agree with, only you don't go far enough. " When the services of able men are required, their emoluments should be equivalent to the duties performed j" and I will add the duties per. formed should be equivalent to the emoluments received. Here comes in the difference: a carpenter or stonemason, while they are at work, get paid for their services; should they desire a week's holiday their pay ceases; on the other hand, whileour County officials hold high holiday, tours, &c, their wages are doubled in the shape of travelling expenses.—l am, &e., Modlabk.